Transcript title

Intro Medical Anthropology

Credits

4

Grading mode

Standard letter grades

Total contact hours

40

Lecture hours

40

Recommended preparation

WR 121Z.

Course Description

Introduces the main theories, concepts, and methods of exploring health, illness, disease and health care systems from a medical anthropological perspective. Uses a cultural interpretive approach to explore health beliefs, healing practices, and healer's and patient's roles within the context of world health care systems. Includes an examination of the biomedical model of health care as a cultural construct created through Western belief systems.

Course learning outcomes

1. Discuss and provide examples of the key concepts used in Medical Anthropology to assist in explaining the interrelationship between biology and culture in shaping our understanding of disease and illness.
2. Using examples from course readings, identify and explain, the common cultural components and practices of all healing systems, including the culturally identified roles of patients healers and the cultural construction of illness and disease in a number of healing settings.
3. Discuss the US Medical model, including medical pluralism, and current issues in biomedical and “alternative” healing systems from a medical anthropology approach.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the application of medical anthropology in studying world health issues, especially those related to protection of health as a human right.

General education/Related instruction lists

• Social Science
• Cultural Literacy